The Atlanta Braves have delivered an encouraging update on Ronald Acuña Jr.’s recovery process. Ahead of their series opener against the Reds on Monday, manager Brian Snitker initially stated that Acuña would travel back to Los Angeles to meet with Dr. Neal ElAttrache for quad strength testing—an important step before starting a rehab assignment.
However, plans quickly changed. The Braves later announced that Acuña would no longer need to make the trip, as his knee has already been cleared. “He will not go back to Los Angeles to see doctors again,” reported Grant McAuley of 92.9 The Game. “In consultation with Dr. Neal ElAttrache, it was decided that Acuña’s knee is good to go. He will begin his rehab assignment this month.”
Acuña has been sidelined since tearing his left ACL in May 2024—his second major knee injury after tearing the right ACL in July 2021. Despite these setbacks, Acuña remains one of the league’s brightest stars. He had a historic 2023 season, winning NL MVP honors with a .337 average, 41 home runs, 106 RBIs, 73 stolen bases, and a 1.012 OPS.
Although the Braves have struggled without him, entering Monday with a 15-18 record and 3.5 games out of the final NL Wild Card spot, Acuña’s return could be the spark they need. If his rehab assignment begins soon and goes smoothly, there’s a strong chance he could rejoin the team before the end of the month.
Last season, Acuña played in just 49 games, hitting .250 with four home runs, 15 RBIs, and 16 stolen bases. Over his seven-year MLB career, he’s posted a .289 batting average, 165 home runs, and a .904 OPS—making his return one of the most anticipated storylines of the Braves’ season.
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